1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Sustainable land management in the Russian steppes (KULUNDA / GLUES)

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Book project: Making sense of research for sustainable land management (GLUES)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg (Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg) - Germany

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Altai State University (ASU) - Russian Federation

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (IfL) - Germany

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

26/07/2016

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Regular in-service training of land use specialists and farm managers in the fields of sustainable land use management, and monitoring in the agrarian sector.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: By, as well as improved linkages of the agricultural consulting systems with universities and vocational training facilities,

Through targeted improved knowledge transfer, the Vocational Training Center is strengthening links between the agricultural consulting/ advisory systems, universities and vocational training facilities. The aim is to enhance capacity building and knowledge transfer for a better consultation / advisory system, especially. This concerns alternative conservation measures and SLM in rural areas. The centre and members of the different sub-projects of the KULUNDA project gave lectures covering up-to-date research results and on various topics, including SLM technologies (no-till and minimum tillage). Socio-economic and ecological impact was covered, as well as environmental monitoring. This took place at the ‘Barnaul Institute for Qualification in Agriculture’. These lectures are embedded into an existing training programme for young professionals within the agronomic service and extension service/ advisory service as well as heads of agricultural enterprises.
Through the targeted improved knowledge transfer between the agricultural consulting/ advisory systems, universities and vocational training facilities we want to strengthen the implementation of conservative conservation technologies in agricultural practice.


Methods: It is also planned to present project results on the topic of sustainable land management in the State Agrarian University in Barnaul, which is the main training centre for future agronomists. This presentation takes different forms – for example through poster presentations or conferences. The implementation courses material/ modules are partially running (for lectures at the Barnaul Institute for Qualification in Agriculture) or are under preparation. Furthermore, there is a plan to cooperate with the Altai State University to organise a seminar on the topic entitled “Laboratory analysis to investigate soil conditions”. Thus it helps to implement new methods of environmental monitoring into the current teaching program.

Stages of implementation: More recently, the project’s partner, the German company Amazone, has started an initiative of vocational training for young people in the region: these students are being given the opportunity to enhance their knowledge at the company’s production site in Samara and to learn about technical aspects of the two SLM technologies, namely no-till and minimum till.

Role of stakeholders: The measures are aimed at different stakeholder groups within the Altai Krai identified in the AKIS-Network (Agricultural Knowledge and Information System). The greatest importance is attached to the stakeholders of extension service and agricultural producers/ heads of agricultural enterprises because of the high level of dependency on the successful implementation of the SLM technologies on their knowledge and support. The managers who participated in advanced trainings are mainly from economically strong agricultural enterprises.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• traditional/ indigenous

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused mainly on SLM with other activities (Knowledge transfer and capacity building not only in the field of soil conservation but also in the resulting socioeconomic and environmental effects and ways to improve regional development in rural areas.)

Improvement of technology adoption through: Capacity building, training and knowledge transfer. Awareness raising.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: There is a lack of knowledge on current scientific findings regarding innovative agronomic methods like minimum and no-till and a lack of awareness concerning the importance of the conservation technologies for economic and ecological sustainable farming strategies. A big problem is that the system for advising farmers is not sufficient, although there is a state institution for this purpose. There is a lack of awareness about the importance of vocational training, and lack of international, scientifically-based expertise in the regional institution conducting vocational training.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	interactive	The embedded training measures modules are embedded in the already existing training program of vocational training centre in Barnaul. At the last seminar land users and specialists were the target audience. Interactive lectures (teaching modules) were held. The participants of the seminar were actively involved by asking questions as well as by intensive discussions.
planning	none	The planning of the approach was first of all project-internal in consultation with the head of the regional vocational training institute in Barnaul.
implementation	interactive	Interactive lectures to agricultural consultants/ extension agents/ advisory services and farmers on latest findings and recommendations of the KULUNDA project. Following the lectures the participants could ask questions and discuss the various research results presented. In addition, brochures and USB-sticks containing project results and lectures were distributed.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	Evaluation after the event through project intern discussions as well as interviews with regional stakeholder
Research	none	The vocational training is mainly intended to inform the audience (target groups) about the scientific results and their application-specific relevance by the scientific project staff. The audience is not involved in research work.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly SLM specialists, following consultation with land users

Explain:

The SLM specialists of the the KULUNDA project mainly make the decisions on the choice of the SLM technology in cooperation with the farmers.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by Project staff. At the beginning of the project a large interview campaign with relevant local stakeholders was conducted by the scientists of the KULUNDA-project. Based on the survey results, a decision on the implementation measures were made by the scientific staff on the German and Russian site with consultation with local stakeholder groups.

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users
• field staff/ advisers

Form of training:

• courses

Subjects covered:

Competitiveness of agricultural enterprises, ecologically and economically effective farm management through the use of resource-conserving crop production, costs for introducing modern tillage systems, personnel management, monitoring systems

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• at permanent centres

Describe/ comments:

Name of method used for advisory service: Vocational training for land use specialists / advisers and land user; Key elements: Knowledge / exchange, Capacity building, Training of trainers

There is already mainly a governmental advisory structure. The consultants are able to make recommendations for soil conserving technologies. However, we have observed a missing international expertise and demand of consultation for the farmers.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

Technical aspects were ad hoc monitored by project staff, government, land users through observations; indicators: information and discussion on the technical obervation results relating conservation technologies by the target groups
Technical aspects were ad hoc monitored by project staff, government, land users through measurements; indicators: information and discussion on the technical measurement results relating conservation technologies by the target groups
Economic / production aspects were ad hoc monitored by project staff, government, land users through observations; indicators: information and discussion on the economic obervation results relating economic parametres (margin profit and others) by the target groups
Economic / production aspects were None monitored by project staff, government, land users through measurements; indicators: information and discussion on the technical measurement results relating conservation technologies by the target groups
Management of Approach aspects were None monitored by None through observations; indicators: information and discussion on the management obervation results relating the approach by the target groups
There were no changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation
There were no changes in the Technology as a result of monitoring and evaluation

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

No

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 2,000-10,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: international (German Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF): 100.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

The Altai Institute for Advanced Training in Agriculture that is publicly founded provided personnel staff, an auditorium and hast made the promotion for the event.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• other

Comments:

The approach of vocational training was only to inform the land users without financial inputs in equipment and others.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

The Altai Institute of vocational training can continue with the help of learning modules and various information materials that we prepared as implementation products under the project.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
To have a platform for discussion and knowledge exchange with different national stakeholder groups as well as international scientists (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Regular meetings for knowledge exchange.)
To get information about the latest international ‘trends’ in agriculture that aim at economically effective, resource-saving and environment-friendly cropping management (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Regular presentation of innovations and new results that are up to date and on international high level.)

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Capacity building (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Through better linkage between the actors of different stakeholder groups (see point 1) and by regular teaching and consultation)
Better knowledge transfer (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: By presenting practice-oriented project findings, which show the current state of research.)
Improved linkage between different stakeholder groups like specialists, advisers and farmers/ land users (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: By regular joint vocational workshops and seminars on education, research, consulting, needs of end users with actors of the Agricultural Knowledge and Information System network in the Altai region. For the realization of this purpose the regional “Altai Vocational Training Centre in Barnaul was and can be used as a platform. )
Better consultation of land users and specialists (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: By presenting use-oriented project findings, which present the current state of research as well as discussions about the presented issues.)

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
For land user it takes a lot of effort like high costs and time to visit the event in the capital Barnaul.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
In contrast to the field seminar the vocational training is more theoretical, which is less attractive for farmers	Combination of different implementation measures like vocational training for the theoretical background and the field seminar to show the opportunities of technology implementation in practice.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information